Hartfield leaves UA football team

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas’ coaching staff is on the road trying to put the finishing touches on its 2014 signing class.

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas’ coaching staff is on the road trying to put the finishing touches on its 2014 signing class.

Meanwhile, one more member of coach Bret Bielema’s first Arkansas signing class has left the program.

Wide receiver Melvinson Hartfield revealed on Twitter early Thursday morning he was "no longer a Razorback. But it was fun while it lasted." Arkansas confirmed Hartfield’s departure, but didn’t provide any specifics about the situation.

Hartfield could not be reached for comment Thursday.

"On with my life I got little ones that looks up to me," Hartfield said via Twitter.

The 5-foot-11, 192-pound receiver was a member of Arkansas’ 2013 signing class, but was the last signee to make it to campus. His arrival was delayed for two weeks while he waited to be ruled academically eligible by the NCAA Clearinghouse.

Once Hartfield was cleared, he made an impression on coaches with his speed.

However, it was not enough for Hartfield — who attended South Oak Cliff High in Dallas — to make an impact on the field last fall. He redshirted the 2013 season.

Hartfield became the fifth player to leave the program during or after the 2013 season, joining linebacker A.J. Turner (transferred to Arkansas State), running back Nate Holmes (McNeese State), cornerback Ray Buchanan Jr. (Northern Iowa) and linebacker Myke Tavarres (Incarnate Word). Hartfield and Tavarres were members of Bielema’s first Arkansas signing class last winter.

Bielema, who was not available Thursday, said after Buchanan’s departure in November others were in the works.

"Those guys are going to leave our program just because depth-wise they’re not where they want to be … or being in a program that we’re going to hold accountability to the highest level in so many different ways," Bielema said. "If they can’t meet that standard, it’s best for them to move on."

Hartfield also became the 10th player departure since Bielema’s arrival.